Briefs: PAC, PSAC swimming under way

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PAC swimming

Washington & Jefferson College’s John Szott and Jennifer Suder each captured their first career Presidents’ Athletic Conference diving titles Thursday night during the first of three days of the PAC Swimming & Diving Championships at Grove City College.

A three-time runner-up in the event prior to this season, Szott vaulted to the top of the 1-meter diving standings with 395.85 points. Suder earned the 3-meter diving title in her first championship appearance after recording 391.70 points. Suder was 42 points ahead of the next PAC finisher, while Szott won his title by 22 points.

Grove City has the early lead in the women’s standings with 280 points, while Westminster is in second with 230. Saint Vincent is third with 184 points followed by W&J (102), Chatham (70) and Bethany (67).

The men’s standings feature a tight battle for first place between Westminster (221) and Grove City (216). W&J is third with 140 points, while Saint Vincent (107) and Bethany (14) round out the day one standings.

PSAC swimming

The California University swimming team sits in 10th place in the team standings after the opening session of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championships.

Six-time defending conference champion West Chester holds a sizeable lead after totaling 144 points. Clarion and IUP are tied for second with 41 points, and Bloomsburg is fourth with 37 points. Cal totaled 21 points after placing in two events – one individual and one relay.

Three Cal swimmers registered season-best times in the 1000 freestyle. Junior Kathryn Mellon scored in the event and placed 14th overall with a time of 10:37.45. Junior Rachel Nauman finished in 17th place with a mark of 10:41.57 and junior Heather Bureau established a season-best time at 11:02.38.

Kutchar leads at Riviera

Coming off a three-week break, Matt Kuchar might not remember golf feeling this easy. He opened with three straight birdies, all of the putts inside 3 feet. He made back-to-back birdies late in his first round at Riviera. He made seven birdies, the longest putt from 8 feet, on his way to a 7-under 64 for a one-shot lead over Sergio Garcia on Thursday in the Northern Trust Open. Garcia, making his PGA Tour debut after two tournaments in the Middle East, finished with two birdies over the last three holes even though he could barely see. Fog dropped in at Riviera over the final two hours after a day of warm sunshine, and Garcia could barely see the landing area in the fairway or the flags on the green.

Buss hospitalized

The Los Angeles Times reports that Lakers owner Jerry Buss has been hospitalized with cancer. The Times says Buss has spent time in the intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and that several current and former Lakers players, including Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson, have visited him. Team spokesman John Black told The Associated Press on Thursday that the team has no plans to comment on Buss’ health. Buss spokesman Bob Steiner said information would have to come from the Lakers.

In the NHL

Eric Fehr scored two goals, Mathieu Perreault had three assists, and the Washington Capitals won their third straight game by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3.

• John Tavares scored one of the New York Islanders’ three-second period goals and then netted the winner in a shootout as the Islanders broke a five-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers.

• Joe Corvo had a goal and an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes won their third consecutive game, a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

PSU women win

Maggie Lucas scored 21 points to lead No. 8 Penn State to an 81-69 victory over Iowa.

Ariel Edwards scored 15 points off the bench and Alex Bentley added 14 points for the Lady Lions (21-3, 11-1 Big Ten), who have won 15 of their last 16 games. Iowa (16-10, 5-7) has lost five straight.

This was the Hawkeyes’ first loss to a ranked opponent in seven games. The six wins are the most for anyone nationally.

In College basketball

Deshaun Thomas scored 22 points and No. 13 Ohio State used a late 12-0 run to beat Northwestern 69-59, the Buckeyes’ 32nd consecutive home win against the Wildcats.

• Andre Hollins hit the go-ahead 3-pointer midway through overtime to finish with 21 points and lead Minnesota to a 58-53 victory over No. 20 Wisconsin.

• Akeem Johnson scored 21 points with a career-high 17 rebounds and made 13 of 14 free throws as St. Francis Brooklyn won at Fairleigh Dickinson 85-61 in Northeast Conference play.